Means for counting folded papers



March 17, 1931. MACKLEY mmus FOR COUNTING FOLDED-PAPERS Filed April 13. 1929 Patented Mar. 17, 1931 UNITED STATES ALFRED HENRY MACKLEY, F BEDFORD, ENGLAND MEANS FOR COUNTING FOLDED PAPERS Application filed April 13, 1929, Serial No. 354,955, and in Great Britain April 25, 1928.

This invention relates to means for counting folded papers or other articles conveyed in a continuous stream by means of a band or like conveyor.

The object of the invention is the provision of improved means for this purpose and the invention consists broadly in the arrangement according to which the stream of articles such as newspapers in passing is adapted to engage frictionally with one or more endless bands in driving relation with a spindle the rotation of which is adapted to actuate a counter.

In order that the invention may be the more 1 clearly understood a counting apparatus in accordance therewith will now be described reference being made to the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure l is an elevation of said apparatus in the operative state with a stream of the papers in being.

Figure 2 is a similar view of the same in the inoperative state, the stream of papers havin been discontinued.

baid apparatus comprises a wooden roller 1 and a shaft 2 spaced apart with their axes parallel to one another. A number of helical spring or other resilient driving bands 3 pass round said roller and respective pulleys 4 (which may be of adjustable diameter) on said shaft 2, and the stream of papers 5 is so guided that in passing it is pressed against these bands 3 at a point between said roller 1 and shaft 2 thereby deflecting said bands inwardly and setting up a frictional engagement of considerable magnitude between said stream of papers 5 and said bands 3.

Accordingly said shaft 2 is rotated at a rate which bears a definite relation to the speed of travel of the stream of papers 5 and its number of revolutions therefore constitutes a measure of the number of papers transmitted. Said shaft is connected by suitable gearing indicated diagrammatically at 6 to a rotating cam 7 which is adapted once every revolution to close a switch 8 connected in circuit with the winding 9 of an electric counter. Each time said switch is actuated said counter makes a count and thus the number of closures of said switch is registered. It is convenient for the electric counter to make one count for ever twenty-five papers transmitted. A suitab e and practicable way of doing this is to adjust the diameter of the pulleys 4 on the shaft 2 so that said shaft rotates once for every five papers transl5 mitted and to make the gearing between the shaft and the cam 7 such that said cam rotates once for every'five rotations of said shaft.

To ensure that the roller 1 and shaft 2 will stop rotating immediately the stream of papers 5 is interrupted, a brake 10 is provided adapted normally to brake said shaft and adapted to be held by the passing stream of papers 5 at the off position.

The stream of papers is conveyed by the usual type of band conveyor 11 guided as indicated by means of wooden guide rollers 12.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. An apparatus for counting a number of articles conveyed in a stream by means of a band conveyor, comprising endless belting located adjacent said band conveyor in such a way that it is clear thereof but is adapted to be frictionally engaged and set in motion by the stream of articles conveyed, and counting apparatus adapted to be oper- I ated in response to the movement of said belting, whereby said counting apparatus will give a measure of the number of articles passed even though the stream is intermittent, the conveyor being in continuous operation.

2. An apparatus for counting a number of articles conveyed in a stream by means of a band conveyor, comprising endless belting located adjacent said band conveyor, means for deflecting said band conveyor from the straight line in such a way that although said belting is clear of said band conveyor itself, it is adapted, at the region where said band conveyor is deflected to be engaged and deflected by the stream of articles conveyed and accordingly set in motion by friction, and counting apparatus adapted to be operated in response to the movement of said belting, whereby said counting apparatus will give a measure of the number of articles passed even though the stream is intermittent, the conveyor being in continuous operation.

3. An apparatus for counting a number of articles conveyed in a stream by means of a band conveyor, comprising endless belting locatedadjacent said band conveyor in such a ay that it is clear thereof but is adapted to be frictionally engaged by the stream of articles conveyed, a brake for preventing movement of said belting, said brake beingbiased into its on position and being adapted to be held at the ofi position by the passing stream of articles and counting apparatus adapted to'be operated in response 1 to the movement of said belting, whereby said counting apparatus will give a measure of the number or" articles passed even though the stream is intermittent, the conveyor bein continuous operation.

' In witness whereo I afiix my signature.

ALFRED H N Y KL 

